Webinar: Burnout in Relief Veterinary Practice: What’s Driving Stress in Flexible Work?
Relief work is often associated with flexibility, autonomy, and better compensation. But the structural challenges that come with independent practice are far less visible, and the data is starting to show the toll they’re taking. Findings from the 2026 Serenity Vet survey show that burnout among relief veterinarians has reached its highest level in five years — and with the relief workforce growing by roughly 60% between 2023 and 2026, this is a conversation the profession can’t afford to put off.
In this session, we explored what’s actually shaping the relief experience today, and what clinics, technology partners, and relief vets themselves can do to make it more sustainable.
What we covered
- The current state of burnout among relief veterinarians — what the latest data tells us about emotional exhaustion, disengagement, and professional satisfaction in relief practice.
- The link between burnout and financial security — how the administrative and financial realities of independent work contribute to stress, even when compensation is strong.
- The role of technology — where tools can ease workload and protect well-being, and where they fall short.
- Practical steps for better clinic–relief partnerships — concrete recommendations clinics and relief vets can apply right away to improve collaboration and reduce friction.
About the speakers
The session brought together a panel of leaders from across the profession: Dr. Jessica Lovegrove, President of the Relief Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Pam Hale, Chief Medical Officer at VetLeader Coaching; Shawn Wilkie, CEO of Talkatoo; and Dr. Andrew Ciccolini, Co-founder of Serenity Vet, who moderated the discussion. Together, they offered perspectives spanning relief practice, clinical leadership, coaching, and technology.
Watch the recording
Missed the live session? You can watch the full recording at the link below! It’s free and available on demand.
